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Tis the season: mantel decor

I hope your Thanksgiving was lovely! Ours was brimming with food, family, & a bit of relaxation (well, as much relaxing as chasing a toddler will allow) & we were thankful. My brother-in-law made his famous smoked chicken, which was so much better than the usual turkey. I'm usually that person who loads up her plate with all the sides & leaves the turkey untouched anyway.

Like most of Blogland, we also brought out some holiday decor. I typically skip the seasonal decorating because I don't like clutter.....but mostly because I'm just lazy about the whole process. This year though, I decided that I probably should attempt holiday cheer for our daughter. When she's grown, I want her to look back & think: "Say what you want about my mom, but you can't deny that she at least tried to half-ass some holiday spirit."

Awwww, thanks sassafras.

Quinn just turned 1 & is running these days. She started walking when she turned 10 months old & hasn't looked back. This little firecracker, I tell you. She's a sassy little whore, which I assure you is a term of endearment full of spirit, spunk & will. Kindly step away from my blog if you can't handle my inappropriate humor & sarcasm.

She has no MEDIUM setting--she's either ON or ON FULL SPEED.

Her endless energy baffles me.

So I put her to work helping me decorate our mantel.

Of course she quickly got bored & decided that hiding her new barn animal toys for us to discover days later was more worth her time.

Our mantel decked out for the holidays.

I used what we had & the only new things are our cable-knit stockings (Target, $10/ea).

Here's how the mantel looked when we moved in a few years ago & here's how it usually looks.

What's on your mantel?

P.S. I'm not very efficient at life these days & am so behind on answering emails. Please know that I might not be very timely but I WILL respond!! And as always, I'm so very thankful that you read this little blog of mine. It keeps me chugging along even when I'm low on fuel.

40 comments:

I don't understand how it is that I'm at Target 5 times a week and didn't see those cable knit stockings, which are exactly what I'm looking for! I was all thinking I might have to lock myself in a room with a bottle of wine and attempt to knit some myself! HA! Love your mantle. And your adorable little maniac.

"like a blender with the lid off"... cracking up! Love that dress that Q has on. Gap has some really pretty stuff right now. Did Q ever do much crawling? Katie is seriously about to crawl but she much prefers us to help her walk around.

Whore... really? That's a disgusting term to use in describing your one year old daughter. You can qualify it all you want, calling it a "term of endearment," but it doesn't take the vulgarity away. Have a little bit of class.

I knew that this would bring on some critics & strong feelings! I completely understand where you're coming from & respect your opinion but this is my blog & my humor unedited....inappropriate humor & all. If you knew me in real life you would know that I find the humor in most things. It doesn't mean I love my daughter any less. I assure you, I have lots of class. HA! I don't take life too seriously but I understand some people do.

On another note, thanks for reading the blog text so carefully. Sometimes I wonder if people just look at the pictures. =]

Anonymous, perhaps that word should not have been used as it has obviously upset at least one person. But I think you are overreacting. I had no difficulty understanding the manner in which it was used as a joke. Some cultures do use that word as a term of endearment (for example “puttanella” is often used as a synonym for “mischievous”). It’s the English word “whore” that sounds ugly. Yes, you or others may not feel comfortable with it, but really, if you are so disgusted and feel you need to object, why hide behind Anonymous? Don’t you feel able to be identified for stand up for your beliefs?

Thank you for being real and uncensored. Politically correct or sugar coated blogs are a dime a dozen. Your readers and true fans will always appreciate you.

Nowhere in the definition of “class” was the description of anonymity included. It might be that someone else should to improve their blog manners before lashing out. She has a right to her opinion but not the right to insult you.

My name is Ashley, I don't have a blog or a Google account, so I posted under Anonymous. It's not that I can't handle inappropriate humor, I just don't think that calling your baby a whore is all that humorous. And yes, I think your mantle is very pretty. I especially like your sunburst mirror.

Hi Ashley, nice to meet you. Humor (like decor) is entirely subjective, I totally understand. I don't make a living off my blog nor do I think I'm the most hilarious blogger ever nor do I wish to please/shock everyone (though I do have an innate desire to gain approval but we're working on that in my therapy sessions--HA). My blog, my content, my words--its what makes blogging exciting.

I love love love your mantel and am super jealous of your white stockings. I scored the exact same green ones for our mantle and put far too much thought into which stockings to buy; they're perfect. I look forward to all of your posts and think you have great style! Happy holidays!

Ohhhhh girl, look at you getting frisky and heating up the blog world with a post about your Christmas mantel. Didn't see that one coming! I love you, my little ho-bag. (Ahh, cue more comments about inappropriateness!)

I love your mantel, it is made for Christmas decor. I also love your funnies. I referred to my baby as devil's spawn (or simply THE BABY) while pregnant, because calling him sprout or bean or whatever cute name of the moment made me want to vomit. Bring on the inappropriate humor!

Turkey is the least favorite part of the TG meal for me too. Sides it is! Although oddly, duriung the rest of the year when I purchase sandwich meat at the deli, sliced turkey is what I always choose, so go figure.

I know what you mean about gearing up to decorate for the holidays. I too have to overcome my laziness and just do it for the kiddos. Your mantle looks very festive and lovely, and very you. I also like the faux flame candles in the fireplace too.

Q is adorable! I'm so glad someone else with a 1 year old (or in my case nearly 1) is kind of behind on things and not afraid to admit it. Well in my case I'm afraid to admit it, but oh my, I thought life would get less hectic as my baby got older!

Your mantel looks beautiful! Mine has been stocked full of stuff I plan on decorating it with for 3 days! And how is that Q always looks so calm and peaceful in photos? I'm not fooled though, I have a one year old I know how they roll ;)